Lock nut



' Patented July 9, 1946 LOCK NUT Joel R. Then) and Steen Strand, West Allis, Wis., assignors to The Fulton Company, West Alllis,-

. Wis., a, corporation of Wisconsin v 2 Application March 24, 1944, Serial No. 527,879

1 Claim.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of fastening or connecting machine elements, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of lock nut assemblages.

The primary object of our invention is to provide an improved lock nut assemblage which may be formed entirely of sheet metal or the like, and which is simple in construction and highly effective in operation. I Some of the more important specific objects of the present invention are as follows:

To provide an efficient lock nut which may be readily produced fromsheet metal or other resilient material with the aid of punches and dies.

To provide animproved sheet metal rip nut assemblage adapted to be manufactured in various sizes, at moderate cost, and in an expeditious manner.

To provide a fastening nut for effecting attachment of several machine elements to each other with the aid of a screw, and which may be formed separate from but subsequently firmly secured to one of the connected elements.

To provide an improved thread clamping nut adapted for adjustable coaction with a screw or the like, and which will uniformly clamp the screw threaded member at all times and in .various positions of relative adjustment of the parts.-

To provide a lock nut formed of resilient sheet metal and having an integral relatively extensive base adapted to engage or to be fastened to one of the elements with which it coacts during normal use.

To provide an attaching nut which may be formed in diverse shapes and sizes in order to adapt the improved structures for various uses.

To provide an improved sheet metal lock nut formed of several sections having preformed clamping threads or notches'thereo which may be produced either by stamping or cutting.

To provide a simple, compact and durable lock nut assemblage which is extremely effective in use and flexible in its adaptations.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting our present invention, and of the mode of forming and of assembling various types of our improved lock nut, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specificationwherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the different views.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank used in th formation of one of our improved sheet metal lock nuts having an integral resilient base formed thereon;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the blank of Fig. 1 partially bent or formed; r

Fig. 3 is a top view of the lock nut as finally assembled from the blank of Figs. 1 and 2;-

Fig. 4 is a side view of the completed lock nut ofFig.3; V

Fig. 5 is a plan view of ablank used in the production of another type of our improved lock nut also having an integral base formed thereon;

Fig. 6 is another plan view of the blank of Fig. 5 partially distorted into final shape;

Fig. 7 is a top view of the final lock nut assembled from the blankrof Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is "a side elevation of the completed nut of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a side view of a, wing nut embodying the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the Wing nut of Fig.9;

Fig. 11 is a top view of still another type of the improved sheet metal lock nut formed of two similar parts;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a top view of an initially formed bracket blank used in the formation of animproved lock nut adapted for attachment to a side wall of a casing or other machine element;

Fig. 14 is a side view of the bracket blank of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the blank of Figs. 13 and .14 looking toward the preformed partial screw threads thereof; I v

Fig. 16 is a top view of the finally assembled sheet metal bracket nut;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view looking into the partially threaded or notched bulge of one of the parts of our improved locknut; and

Fig. 18 is a similarly enlarged top'viewof one of the partially threaded sockets of a typical lock nut embodying our improvement. I

While the invention has been shown and described herein as having been embodiedin .a limited number of modifications adapted for diverse uses, it is not our desire or intention to thereby unnecessarily limit or restrict the utility of the improved features.

Our present invention consists primarily of the provision of a clamping or locking nut formed of two sheet metal elements or parts each provided with a transverse internally notched or partially threaded bulge facing the bulge of the other to lock nut shown produces. through bearing, opening or socket, and each having integral resilient portions or flanges extending away from the socket and firmly interconnected remote from the opposite sides of the socket so as to cause the notched bulges to be resiliently biased toward each other. Th notches or partial screw threads of the element bulges may be formed therein before the parts are finally assembled, either by stamping or cutting; and the cooperating parts of the nut assemblage are referably punched from resilient sheet metal or the like, and are finally formed or shaped and interconnected with the aid of dies. In order to permit the improved lock nuts to be sold or handled in groups of two or more, the corresponding blanks of successive nuts may be formed in groups wherein the adjoining blanks are connected by breakable connecting portions so that each individual lock nut may be readily removed from its original group by merely breaking it free from the adjacent nut of the group. The improved lock nuts may be produced in diverse sizes and shapes for many different uses, some of which will now be specifically described herein.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the improved clamping nut shown therein is formed of two sheet metal elements or parts 20, 2 I, of which the part 20 is produced from a fiat blank of the approximate shape shown in Fig. 1 and having a base portion 22 formed integral therewith, while the part 2| is produced from a fiat approximately rectangular blank. After the blank of the part 20 has been punched to shape, it i initially bent as illustrated in Fig. 2, so that a central bulge 23 is formed therein and the outer ends 24 of the integral outwardly projecting portions 25 thereof are directed away from the bulge 23, while the base portion 22 extends beneath the bulged part 20 and the portions 25. The blank of the complementary part 2| is likewise bent to provide a' central bulge 26 having projecting portions 21 directed away from the opposite sides of the bulge; and after the bulges 23, 26 of the two parts 25, 2| have been provided with inclined notches or partial screw threads 28, a shown in detail in Figs. 17 and 18, they may be permanently assembled as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 by bending and thus clamping the Outer ends of the part 20 around the extreme ends of the portions 21 of the part 2|. In

order to prevent possible axial separation of the parts 20, 2|, the part 2| may be provided with integral ears or projections 29 which are ultimately disposed between the base portion 22 and the bent ends 24 of the part 20, and the bulges 23, 25 of the final assemblage cooperate to form a through opening or socket 30 the opposite partially threaded or notched sides of which are resiliently inwardly biased by the diametrically opposite resilient interconnected portions 25, 27.

Referring particularly to Figs. to 8 inclusive the improved lock nut assemblage shown therein is also formed of two sheet metal parts or elements 3|, 32, of which the element 3| is produced from a flat blank shaped approximately as shown in Fig. 5, while the element 32 is produced from a flat approximately rectangular blank. After the blank of the element 3| has been punched to shape, the element 3| is bent upwardly therefrom and is provided with a central bulge 33 having side portions 34 extending away from the bulge 33. This leaves an enlarged opening in the base k base 35 is then distorted to the.

tary element 32 is then likewise distorted to provide a central bulge 31. and oppositely extending integral portions 38 having outer ends 39, and to also provide a reduced lower end adapted to snugly fit within the opening 35, whereupon the partial screw threads or notches 28 may again be formed in the bulges 33, 31. The elements 3|, 32 may then be assembled and the ends 39 of the element portions 38 may be folded snugly around the extreme ends of the element portions 34 so as to complete the lock nut assemblage. The bulges 33, 31 of this modification normally function the same as the bulges 23, 25 of the lock nut shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and both of these types of'nuts have bases 22, 35 which may be provided with openings for efiecting attachment thereof to the machine element with which they normally coact.

Referring especially to Figs. 9 and 10, the improved wing nut shown therein is formed of two similarelements or' parts 4|, 42 each produced from a fiat piece of sheet metal and having central bulges 43, 44 respectively and wings 45, 46 on opposite sides of their respective bulges 43, 44. The bulges 43, 44 are provided with partial threads or inclined notches 28, and after the two parts 5|, 42 have been properly formed they may also be firmly interconnected by means of rivets 41, or spot welds, or otherwise to produce the completed wing nut assemblages each having a central clamping socket 35 formed between the bulges 43, 44 thereof. The opposite sides of the socket or opening 35 of this embodiment are againpartially threaded and'are resiliently inwardly biased by the diametrically opposite wings 45, ifi which are interconnected remote from the socket.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, the improved clamping nut shown therein, is likewise formed of two similar parts 48, 49 each produced from a flat rectangular blank of resilient sheet metal and having central bulges 5|), 5| respectively and portions 52, 53 on opposite sides of their respective bulges. The longer portions 52 have ends 54 adapted to be bent around the shorter portions 53 of the other part, and the bulges 50, 5| are partially screw threaded or provided with notches 28 and again cooperate to provide a central socket 30. As in the previously described embodiments, the bulges 50, 5| of this modification' also provide a partially threaded socket 35 having resiliently biased walls adapted to clamp a screw which is driven int the central socket.

Referring more specifically to Figs, 13 to 16 inclusive, the bracket type lock nut shown therein comprises one element or part 55 formed of resilient sheet metal and having a bulge 56 and resilient outwardly extending portions 51 provided with distortable ends 58, all formed integral with an apron bracket 59; and another sheet metal element or part 55 having a central bulge 6| and outwardly projecting portions 62 cooperable with the bulge 56 and portions 51 respectively of the part 55. When the parts 55, 60 are assembled as illustrated in Fig. 16, and have'been provided with thread notches 28, the ends 58 should be bent snugly around the ends of the portions 62 so as to again provide a resilient clamping socket 3|], and the apron 59 ma be provided with openings for effecting attachment thereof t a casing or machine wall.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the details of construction of the several modifications of the present invention that in eachof the assemblages We provide a central socket 30 bounded by bulges having partial screw threads 28 therein, the bulges being interconnected by resilient portions extending away from the socket 3E and which are clamped to each other remote from the central socket 30. The formation of the partial threads or notches 28 should be such that the adjacent socket 30 are slightly elliptical with the major axes parallel to the joints, and the nuts should be cooperable with screws or screw threaded elements having diameters slightly larger than the sockets 30. When these screws or screw threaded elements are driven into the nut assemblages, they will spread the bulges apart and the integral outwardly extending portions of the elements will then function to force the bulges into clamping engagement with the screw threads of the inserted elements. This clamping action will obviously be uniform regardless of the position of adjustment of the screw threaded element or screw which is driven into the socket 30 and irrespective of temperature variations, and the several nut assemblages therefore function as effective lock nuts which will prevent the inserted threaded element from unscrewin even when subjected to most violent jarring, vibration, or high temperatures. The disclosure of Figs. 17 and 18 applies to all of the various modifications shown, and the types of lock nuts disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive are especially useful when an attaching base for the nut is desired. Th modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive is especially adapted for use when it is desired to attach the nut to a side wall, and the wing nut of Figs. 9 and 10, and the simplified structure of Figs, 11 and 12 may be used as an ordinary fastening nut for Various purposes. It is preferable in constructing these look nuts, to form the same of resilient sheet metal, which in the smaller nuts may be aluminum, and in the larger structures may be other sheet material such as steel, and the improved nuts may obviously be utilized for diverse purposes.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that our present invention provides an improved lock nut assemblage which is extremely simple, compact, and durable, and which is also highly eflicient in use and flexible in its adaptations. The resilient sockets 30 provided with partial screw threads 28, and being interconnected remote from the sockets, produce an effective clamping action against the screws or other elements inserted within the sockets, and this clamping action i uniform throughout the range of adjustment of the nuts along the screws. The various structures may obviously be manufactured in quantity and at minimum cost with the aid of punches and dies, and the invention has proven highly successful and satisfactory for diverse purposes, especially where the interconnected machine elements are subject to excessive jarring, vibration, and high temperature.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claim may occur to persons skilled in the art.

We claim:

A lock nut comprising, two resilient sheetmetal elements each having an approximately semi-elliptical medial bulge ooperating with the bulge of the other to provide an approximately elliptical socket, each element also having integral resilient fiat wall portions extending away from the opposite sides of the bulge therein and loosely coacting with the corresponding wall portions of the other along the plane of the major axes of the ellipses and said bulges being provided with notches facing said plane and forming partial screw threads on opposite sides of the socket, and an integral extension at the outer end of one of said fiat wall portions on each side of the socket bent around and clampingly engaging the outer end of the adjacent flat portion of the other element to firmly unite said elements only at points remote from said socket.

JOEL R. THORP. STEEN STRAND. 

